Average time to complete a 400K in the "DC Randonneurs" area is 21 hours (1993 to 2005). Fourteen percent DNF'd. See results page at:

http://www.dcrand.org/dcr/results.php

Typical climbing on a 400K in our area would average around 18000 feet.

Well, dgasmd, you might be able to keep finishing long brevets with no more equipment than you've carried so far, but odds are against it. Go read Machka's web page. She knows what's up.

Also, keep in mind that you get zero credit for riding the first half of a brevet really, really fast and then dropping out. And while you may be able to ride a 200K really fast, the whole point of the shorter brevets is to train for the longer ones. So figure out what you need to ride a 600K, and then carry it on the shorter brevets. You won't ride the short rides as fast anymore, but when you get to the long rides you won't be in shock. My PBP bike, fully loaded, weighed just over 50 pounds. I don't think that's particularly unusual. Some pictures of my Paris-Brest-Paris bike are at:

http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/2007/cc...kbull1207.html